Ludde Håkanson's Joy: Expecting First Child Amidst Basketball Success

Basketball star Ludde Håkanson, 29, is set to become a father for the first time. The timing is almost eerily perfect. "Pure luck," he says.

It feels like an eternity since Sweden's men's basketball team last played in the European Championship.

The year was 2013, and Ludde Håkanson, then 17, was part of the team.

But it's been so long that he barely remembers anything.

"I remember some small highlights, like when we beat Russia, for example. But I don't remember what it was like to play so often in a few days, as it is during a championship."

So what experiences do you take with you?

"Just that I was part of that European Championship... I don't know how much use it is. But having been part of the national team for many years—and played at a high level in Europe—I've gained a lot from it," he says.

Believes in Sweden at the European Championship

Twelve years later, despite being only 29, he is a true national team veteran and a key player in Miiko Riipinen's team, which travels to Finland at the end of August.

There, they will face the host nation and major teams like Germany and Lithuania, as well as Montenegro and Great Britain.

The top four teams advance to the round of 16 in Riga.

Ludde Håkanson looks forward to the European Championship, especially the opening match in Tampere.

"It's going to be great fun. There will be a good atmosphere and a rivalry. They (Finland) have been at a higher level than us in recent years, and we have nothing to lose. But we absolutely have good chances. We have a good team, better than in many years."

He continues:

"We've played together for many years, and Pelle and Bobi bring incredible quality in every way. We will be dangerous, so we have good chances to win that match and advance."

Expecting a Child Any Day

His team UCAM Murcia finished ninth in the Spanish league, narrowly missing the playoffs.

But 2025 seems to be a fantastic year nonetheless, not just because of the European Championship.

A few months ago, Ludde Håkanson got engaged to his love, Lovisa, and any day now, they will become parents.

"It's our first child. It's going to be amazing," he says.

And continues:

"We've been waiting for so long, so now we just hope everything starts and goes well. I'm not that nervous, actually, but I think I will be on the way to the hospital. Lovisa is doing well, and everything has gone smoothly, so it feels safe and good."

The timing could hardly have been better.

"It's incredibly good timing. Pure luck, really. If it had been a month earlier, I would have been in season; a month later, the preparation for the European Championship would have started."